SMEs can now avail of free on-line tool to understand why Corporate Social Responsibility matters to small business

The Minister for Employment and Small Business, Pat Breen T.D. has announced the launch of a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) on-line Tool for SMEs. This Tool is an initiative of the CSR Stakeholder Forum in conjunction with the Department of Jobs Enterprise and Innovation, which was set up to drive the objectives of the National Plan on Corporate Social Responsibility.Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) is a concept whereby enterprises integrate social and environmental concerns into their mainstream business operations on a voluntary basis.

This on-line tool will help SMEs understand more about CSR and provide further supports to adopt and implement responsible business practices. Completing the Tool will help SMEs recognize that many of the activities they already engage in represent best practice in CSR, will inspire new ways of operating responsibly, and will help towards understanding the benefits of embedding CSR into their day-to-day business operations. The Tool will also help confirm that the size of your company is not a factor in the ability of a business to make a positive impact in the world.

This collaborative project by the CSR Stakeholder Forum and the Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation is another step in raising awareness of CSR among the SME community.

Speaking at the launch Minister Breen said, “There is a perception that Corporate Social Responsibility is largely associated with big companies but it is as important for small and medium sized businesses. The benefits of CSR to a company are significant, especially for attracting and retaining talent. There are many other worthwhile benefits for companies, from becoming an intrinsic part of the local community within which they operate to saving on energy costs. I’m delighted to launch the Corporate Social Responsibility on – line Tool for SMEs which will assist SMEs in understand more about CSR. I would encourage all SMEs to become involved in Corporate Social Responsibility”. Embedding CSR into long-term business strategies can help towards ensuring that a business’s future is sustainable.”

To appreciate the relevance of CSR to your business, why not take the quick survey on the CSR SME On-line Tool at http://csrtool.csrhub.ie/ .